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Russian space zoo tests to boost astronaut performance

Take your protein pills and put your helmet on

(Image: Institute of Biomedical Problems)

Mice, geckos and fish are just a few of the critternauts in a space zoo sent into orbit last week. The Russian space agency’s Bion-M1 spacecraft is designed to study the biological effects of space travel and potential harm to astronauts from microgravity and radiation.

Animals have flown in space before, but this mission will be an extreme test. They will orbit Earth for a month at a height of 575 kilometres, roughly 200 kilometres higher than the International Space Station, exposing them to more radiation for an extended period.

The aim is to help boost crew health and performance on future missions, says Richard Boyle, a NASA scientist in charge of US experiments on Bion-M1.

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Bion-M1 is to return to Earth on 18 May, but the homecoming will be short-lived. The animals will be euthanised for further study.